Currents Digital Currents March/April 2018 | Page 6

The Way It Was: Great 1906 ‘Quake
Cuts Off City’s Water Supply from
Peninsula Watershed
April 18, 1906—The Peninsula Watershed had been a vital drinking
water source for the young, fast-growing San Francisco since the
1860s. By 1906, it was home to three pipelines into the City—the San
Andreas, Crystal Springs and Pilarcitos (the very first one). The Great
Earthquake of April 18 put all three out of commission. The San
Andreas was back in service by the end of the month, and the Crystal
Springs several weeks later. But the Pilarcitos—which lay directly along
the fault line—was beyond repair. It never operated again.
7 currents | MARCH/APRIL
6
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
2018
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